Kent Conrad: “This issue is simple. The question is, Are we going to have a reserve fund so that there is a solution to the tobacco…”

“This issue is simple. The question is, Are we going to have a reserve fund so that there is a solution to the tobacco controversy, that we can use the money in a way that accommodates every comprehensive bill that is before this body, introduced by Republicans or Democrats? Unfortunately, under the budget resolution, the money can only go for one purpose: Medicare. While that is an important priority, there are other priorities as well--smoking cessation, smoking prevention, health research, countertobacco advertising, easing the transition for farmers. We should not be creating supermajority hurdles in the way of tobacco legislation, and the only way we avoid that is to pass this amendment.”